Laura McMillan, manager of the Coventry City of Culture Trust, said: ‘This is a win for Coventry, a win for young people and a win for diversity. The economic impact will be huge for the city and the West Midlands.
“It’s been a bid by and for the people of Coventry. It has brought so many people and organisations together and this is just the start.

Advertisement

Advertisement

‘Over the next three years we will ensure that everyone in the city, which has been moving people by cycle, car and jet engine, is now moving people through culture.’

Emma Harrabin and Justine Themen, from the Coventry bid delegation at the announcement in Hull, admitted they were surprised by the announcement as they had not dared to think they might win.

Ms Harrabin said: ‘We really felt on this whole journey that the city was with us.

Coventry old cathedral shell and new modern cathedral (Picture: Getty)

‘We’ve been inundated with messages of support on social media. It’s just been such a wonderful way for the city to come together and celebrate what it has to offer.’

She said: ‘We knew that we had done absolutely everything we could and we were happy with what we’d delivered.’